slur — slur — MEP Fidias Panayiotou has issued a public apology after using a derogatory term to describe Paralympic athletes with intellectual disabilities. This incident, which took place during a podcast recorded on 29 November with para-athlete Loizos Chrysanthou, has sparked widespread condemnation from various organisations.
In the podcast, Panayiotou referred to athletes in the S14 category as “pellous”—a term that translates to fools or madmen. The remark quickly drew criticism, prompting the Cyprus Psychologists Association to respond strongly. On Wednesday, they condemned the comments, stating that they represent a clear example of devaluing human existence.
In a follow-up video, Panayiotou acknowledged the outrage, saying, “They all rushed to eat me. To tell you the truth, this time they were right to do so.” He admitted that he should not have used such a term to describe any disability or illness, framing his apology as a sign of strength. However, the Psychologists Association rejected his defence, asserting that the excuse of unawareness should not be tolerated. They emphasised that respect stems from upbringing and character, criticising Panayiotou for shaming his office and constituents.
Furthering the dialogue, the association pointed out that the terminology used by the MEP reflects a deficit in personal values and a shallow personality. Their statement highlighted the unacceptable nature of such comments coming from someone in a high-ranking political position.
Adding another layer to the controversy, Panayiotou suggested that the backlash may be politically motivated, citing recent polls indicating that his party, “Direct Democracy”, has surpassed 10 per cent support. This claim was met with further criticism from the Cyprus Confederation of Organisations of the Disabled (CCOD), who issued an urgent press release labelling his assertion an insult. They emphasised that the outrage over his comments is a matter of human rights rather than political manoeuvring.
The CCOD also represented para-athlete Marios Philippou, who has made it clear that he does not consent to his image being used in Panayiotou’s apology video. They articulated that attributing political motives to those advocating for fundamental human rights indicates a serious democratic deficit.
In light of the backlash, Panayiotou has expressed a willingness to support individuals with disabilities, announcing plans for his next visitor group to the European Parliament to include people with disabilities. He has invited suggestions on how to better support this community, hoping to shift the focus from the controversy to constructive action.